The winds were dead from Sunday afternoon through today and I caught some epic waves along Aina Haina’s shores yesterday and this morning. Very rarely do the waves along the southeast coast of Oahu get good, but this morning in particular I felt like I was in a bathtub rather than the ocean. It was a beautiful thing.

So as not to give too much away, there are a few launching pads if you’re interested in surfing the breaks between Kahala and Hawaii Kai.

The first parking lot is in the beach park before Wailupe Circle. If you paddle straight out from there you’ll be close to the breaks called Kim’s, Wailupe, and Boneyards.

The second lot is a dirt patch right before the Aina Haina Shopping Center. Walk behind the houses along a grassy/dirt path and paddle out to Aina Hainas break.

Drive a little farther toward Hawaii Kai and park at the foot of Pu’u Ikena Drive. Straight in front of the beach park are Secrets and Toes.

Kona winds are sometimes perfect for surfing this side of the island, but it’s kind of hit or miss. Sometimes, you’re best off just driving up one of the hills (like Waialae Iki) to scope out the conditions.

It may be as far as you can get from Ireland, but Honolulu is not short on Irish spirit. This Wednesday, downtown Honolulu will get down in green garb, chug green beer and party on Nu’uanu Street as part of its St. Patrick’s Day Chinatown Block Party. Here’s a little breakdown of the festivities going on March 17.

DOWNTOWN HONOLULU:

St. Patrick’s Day Chinatown Block Party: Thousands of people show up for this huge block party, hosted by Murphy’s Bar & Grill. This has been the premiere St. Patty’s Day event in Honolulu for two decades.

Irish music at O’Toole’s: Across the street from Murphy’s, Kieran Murphy, Celtic Waves, Doolin’ Rakes, MacFiddles, Kaimana Ceili and Warsaw will be playing at O’Toole’s throughout the week.

Ravenchase St. Patrick’s Race: Treasure seekers search for a pot of gold at the annual Ravenchase St. Patrick’s event in Chinatown (already SOLD OUT!).

St. Patrick’s Day on the Harbor: Aloha Tower Marketplace rolls out the green for St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music, food and dance.

Acid Wash: St. Patrick’s Day Edition: SoHo hosts a special St. Patrick’s Day edition of Acid Wash. I’m not really sure what that means — 80’s acid wash music + green garb and beer??

WAIKIKI:

Waikiki St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The annual parade, organized by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Hawaii, marches down Kalakaua at noon.

RumFire St. Patrick’s Day special: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with custom drinks and a special menu at RumFire.

I celebrated St. Patty’s Day at an Irish pub in Nicaragua last year. I have a feeling this year’s festivities will easily top that — not that I have anything against Nica.

It may be as far as you can get from Ireland, but Honolulu is not short on Irish spirit. This Wednesday, downtown Honolulu will get down in green garb, chug green beer and party on Nu’uanu Street as part of its St. Patrick’s Day Chinatown Block Party. Here’s a little breakdown of the festivities going on March 17.

DOWNTOWN HONOLULU:

St. Patrick’s Day Chinatown Block Party: Thousands of people show up for this huge block party, hosted by Murphy’s Bar & Grill. This has been the premiere St. Patty’s Day event in Honolulu for two decades.

Irish music at O’Toole’s: Across the street from Murphy’s, Kieran Murphy, Celtic Waves, Doolin’ Rakes, MacFiddles, Kaimana Ceili and Warsaw will be playing at O’Toole’s throughout the week.

Ravenchase St. Patrick’s Race: Treasure seekers search for a pot of gold at the annual Ravenchase St. Patrick’s event in Chinatown (already SOLD OUT!).

St. Patrick’s Day on the Harbor: Aloha Tower Marketplace rolls out the green for St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music, food and dance.

Acid Wash: St. Patrick’s Day Edition: SoHo hosts a special St. Patrick’s Day edition of Acid Wash. I’m not really sure what that means — 80’s acid wash music + green garb and beer??

WAIKIKI:

Waikiki St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The annual parade, organized by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Hawaii, marches down Kalakaua at noon.

RumFire St. Patrick’s Day special: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with custom drinks and a special menu at RumFire.

I celebrated St. Patty’s Day at an Irish pub in Nicaragua last year. I have a feeling this year’s festivities will easily top that — not that I have anything against Nica.

I’d like to consider myself pretty in the loop when it comes to local deals and discounts, but it appears my friend Chelsea has got me on this one. Earlier this month, I told you about Half Price Deals and back in January I wrote about a few other cool online discounts, but there’s yet another great place to get cheap stuff now.

Bank of Hawaii’s Online Marketplace is a great little coupon depot with all kinds of discounts at local shops around the islands. The great thing about BOH’s site is that it’s organized by island, and coupons can be printed at home.

Here on Oahu there are some great deals offered at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, The Wedding Cafe, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, and Jamba Juice — among many others!

Disney recently released the name of the new resort and spa in Ko Olina, “Aulani.” The resort is currently in full construction mode and the first phase of Aulani is scheduled to open in fall 2011. Located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in Ko Olina Resort Aulani will offer 360 hotel rooms and 481 timeshare villas.

Walt Disney Imagineering team has worked with local architects and cultural experts to come up with this family vacation destination that takes its inspiration from Hawaiian culture. Highlights will include for children a wonderland of water including a river, large pools, water slides, and lagoons. For adults, Aulani will offer extraordinary spa services and world-class amenities.

Disney never disappoints its followers and by looking at Aulani’s website and the renderings of the future resort Oahu residents won’t have to travel far to get the full Walt Disney family experience. For more information on the new resort visit: http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort .

While I’m not a dirt biker myself, my friend Chris is a dirt bike-o-holic. My ex Brian’s dad would head to the track on the weekends, and whenever Chris has a weekend free, he heads to the hills too. I still have a lot to learn about this “sport,” but what they both tell me about dirt biking actually makes me want to don my own suit, helmet, and gloves and hit the Kahuku Motocross Track soon.

On the weekends Kahuku Motocross Track is crowded with high flying daredevils racing the natural terrain. With over 400 acres of hilly red dirt, over 50 trails, and tons of man-made tabletops, slopes and jumps, the track seems fit for all skill levels. There’s even a a Peewee track for bike-tikes.

The Kahuku Track is only open on weekends and federal holidays. Race days bring spectators and good friendly fun. I hope to make it up there some day — maybe see it for myself or race around.